Jake Deitchler would have been a big plus for the Gophers wrestling program. He would have created a lot of interest in the media, brought out more fans and helped the team be stronger.

The Gophers usually red-shirt first-year wrestlers, but how do you tell an Olympian to red-shirt? I think he would have been in the line-up his first year.

But in the end, from what those closest to him are saying, Jake wanted more than an NCAA title.

This is a kid who dreams of being a champion in the World Games and the Olympics. N0t just once, but time and time again. He wants to be the best there is in his sport.

Even so, he mulled over what to do time and time again after signing with the U. The Gophers coaches sound a little miffed at his decision to not attend the U after signing last November, but they knew he was wavering. Joe Russell, an assistant coach, asked him to wait on his decision until after the Olympics when his head was clearer.

It’s clearer now. He lost twice, to two of the best in the world at his weight, 145.5 pounds.

Still, before he made that call to J Robinson, he had one last talk with his dad, Jason, in Beijing.

He told his father that the last thing holding him back from making his call to J was fear, fear of the unknown if he took a less traveled path.

His father told him never to let fear hold him back. Jake has accomplished everything he has set out to do and his father is sure he will be successful in the future.

Next Jake wants to win multiple Greco-Roman titles in international competition.

The Deitchlers know Jake will be criticized by some for his decision to not attend the U, and intstead to train year-round at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

There he will attend Colorado College and get paid, through a federal grant, while he trains and represents the U.S. in international competition.

Sure, it would be fun to see Jake in a maroon and gold uniform, but once you have been to the mountaintop (the Olympics), how do you settle for something less?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm and is filed under Gophers wrestling. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.